From BCSPCA Animal Sense Spring/Summer 2003 in reference to the seizure of 15 primates (and 88 other animals) from a collector in Kaslo BC on Nov 31/03:
"We wouldn't even consider giving these animals to someone to put in a private collection,"says Daniell. "Any facility considered for taking them would be subject to the most scrupulous inspection. We really have to get past the idea of people keeping these animals as pets. If we can begin shifting people's behaviours and putting increased pressure on government to legislate the issue properly, I think we'll be successful in dramatically reducing the cruelty inflicted on wild and exotic animals in Canada."

From June 6/03 Press release re the Kaslo seizure:"Primates and Exotics are wild animals with very specific environment and care requirements," says Daniell.

On June 26/03 the SPCA seized 130 animals from Do-Little Farm in Maple Ridge, including three lemurs.

On July 14/03 the SPCA returned all animals except a reindeer to owner Silvia Rutledge. The three lemurs were among those returned.

In 1987 World Wildlife International declared that the lemurs are the most gravely endangered group of primates in the world

They are native to Madagascar not Maple Ridge.B.C.

All primates should be valued and treated equally. Lemurs should not be exempt from being valued and protected by the BCSPCA. Why these particular primates were returned would be interesting to know as without explanation it is hard to understand the reasoning behind their return.

I am disappointed to see the BCSPCA have one policy in the media when asking for donations and another in reality.

Louise Englund.